Soldier Morale High in Support of Flood Effort                                                                       Story and photos by Sgt. Kimberly Calkins, Indiana Army National Guard                      Posted:  June 11, 2008

VINCENNES, Ind.— Further collaborating efforts among Indiana National Guardsmen have created a sandbagging frenzy at the Vincennes Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT).

Soldiers from the 138th Quartermaster, 38th Infantry Division’s Special Troops Battalion (STB), Headquarters Company 2-238th General Support Aviation Battalion, the 113th Engineers, and the 181st Intelligence Wing Air National Guard filled at least 60,000 sandbags between Monday evening and Wednesday afternoon.

On average, the Soldiers and Airmen are pushing out 2,500 sandbags an hour. The joint effort is continuing to rotate between manual shovel-bagging and automated sandbagging machines provided by the Indiana National Guard.

Even though the work is hot and long, Spc. Willie Calvert says, “I love the unit, and am having fun working with everyone. It’s part of the job.”

Pallets filled with sandbags have been delivered to the surrounding areas of Hazleton, Edwardsport, Elnora, Petersburg, and Washington; these sandbags are now in place to protect these towns and power facilities from the rising waters.

Still, several levees have broken along the White River forcing communities to evacuate. As Soldiers and Airmen continue to fill sandbags, their morale remains strong.

Pvt. Andrew simply said, “I’m enjoying helping others in the communities.”

Many Soldiers feel humbled to know that each sandbag filled earns a “thank you” from communities, even though the Soldier may never know what waters the sandbag will hold at bay.

It’s that moment’s notice that the people of the Wabash Valley count on. One simple sandbag gives hope to people, and hope can help save a community, even when the water rises.